A year ago today

It is a year since Ellen was diagnosed with AML. What a year of ups and downs. Today Ellen ran all the way to school with her lunch box ready to have her first school lunch. She is settling in to school and really is enjoying it. It is remarkable to think how far she has come with all that she has had to cope with over the years. The first photo uploaded is a recent picture of Ellen. The second is a shocking picture of her when she was poorly, the third is of Ellen and George days before her bone marrow transplant and the fourth is the bag of George's bone marrow that has to date saved Ellen's life. These picture paints a thousand words!

Christmas, New Year and School

Ellen had a fantastic christmas. Like may others she was very upset when the Christmas tree was put away and the prospect of more presents was dashed.

This week has been a very big week as Ellen started school. She is only going part time initially but we hope that with time she will be able to cope with full days. She is very much enjoying being able to mix with other children and make new friends.

Flower girl

Ellen is still doing well. She was a flower girl at her Uncle Toby and Aunty Katie's wedding this weekend. She was very excited and really enjoyed the day. It was a joy watching her walk up the aisle. She has her monthly check this week so back to reality.....

Back to the West Country

Ellen had her first visit back to Bristol last week for a 5-month post transplant check-up. All went well and the bone marrow transplant team at Bristol Children's Hospital were pleased with her progress. They have reduced the number of medicines she has to take to just a couple now, and the main issues are continuing to try and get her to eat enough and to stay away from winter illnesses. We took the opportunity to make a long weekend of it, catching up with family and friends, which included a trip to Longleat (as shown in the photo) and a very well earned swim! A much needed, but still exhausting, break for us all.

It is OUT

Ellen's Hickman Line came out today. This involved a general anaesthetic and a ten minute operation to pull/cut it out. She is now doing fine and is very pleased. Her nose tube is also out - this was a far less planned event as George pulled it out by mistake during a sibling tussle! We hope to be swimming by the end of next week.....

Doing OK

Ellen is still doing well. She started home tuition this week which is a very welcome addition to her weekly routine. Provided Ellen's blood results are OK tomorrow we are hoping that her Hickman line will be removed in the next few weeks. She is so excited at the thought of being able to go swimming. Here's hoping all goes to plan ....

On track

No significant news since the last update. Ellen is doing well. She continues to have problems eating and with her guts, but other than that remains well and is enjoying life as much as she can. She is now off her immunosuppressants; we have a long wait until her immune system is anywhere near normal, but so far all is on track.